Complex Carbocyclic Skeletons from Aryl Ketones through a Three-Photon Cascade Reaction

Starting from readily available 7-substituted 1-indanones, products with a tetracyclo[5.3.1.01,7 04,11 ]undec-2-ene skeleton were obtained upon irradiation at λ=350 nm (eight examples, 49-67 % yield). The assembly of the structurally complex carbon framework proceeds in a three-photon process comprising an ortho photocycloaddition, a disrotatory [4π] photocyclization, and a di-π-methane rearrangement. The flat aromatic core of the starting material is converted into a functionalized polycyclic hydrocarbon with exit vectors in three dimensions. Ring opening reactions at the central cyclopropane ring were explored, which enable the preparation of tricyclo[5.3.1.04,11 ]undec-2-enes and of tricyclo[6.2.1.01,5 ]undecanes.

Concise Access to the Skeleton of Protoilludane Sesquiterpenes through a Photochemical Reaction Cascade: Total Synthesis of Atlanticone C

In a single photochemical operation (λ≥350 nm) an easily accessible indanone derivative was converted into a structurally complex precursor of the protoilludane sesquiterpenes. The product (60 % yield) contains all 15 carbon atoms of the skeleton in the required connectivity and was transformed into the natural product atlanticone C (9 steps, 6 % overall yield). In addition, it was shown that other protoilludanes, such as Δ⁶ -protoilludene and paesslerin A, can be prepared in a concise fashion via the photochemical key intermediate. The photochemical reaction cascade comprises an ortho photocycloaddition, a thermal disrotatory ring opening and a regioselective disrotatory [4π] photocyclization.

Development of an Alkyne Analogue of the de Mayo Reaction: Synthesis of Medium-Sized Carbacycles and Cyclohepta[b]indoles

Embedded medium-sized carbacycles and cyclohepta[b]indoles occur frequently as scaffold elements in natural products and bioactive compounds. Described herein is a conceptionally novel photochemically triggered cascade process to these scaffolds. Key to the cascading ring-expansion process is an unprecedented intramolecular alkyne analogue of the de Mayo reaction.